Dr. Chris Palmer: Diet & Nutrition for Mental Health | Huberman Lab Podcast #99

My guest this episode is Chris Palmer, M.D., a board-certified psychiatrist and assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He explains the important connection between nutrition, metabolism and mental health and his pioneering work using the ketogenic diet to successfully treat patients with various mental illnesses, including depression and schizophrenia. Dr. Palmer explains how the ketogenic diet is an evidenced-based treatment for epilepsy, mimics the fasted state and can offset the cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s. He describes the key roles of mitochondria in mental health, how certain conditions likely arise from mitochondrial dysfunction, and how low-carbohydrate diets increase mitochondrial turnover to improve mental health. He also explains how low-carbohydrate diets positively impact the gut microbiome and weight loss, important risk factors for mitochondrial health such as marijuana and alcohol, and the best way to increase circulating ketones depending on individual needs. We also cover how a ketogenic diet impacts mood, sleep, and fertility. Dr. Palmer’s work stands as a revolutionary approach to mental health and disease that, given the prevalence of mental health challenges, should be of interest to people of all backgrounds and ages.

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Dr. Chris Palmer

Timestamps
00:00:00 Dr. Chris Palmer, Mental Health & Metabolic Disorders
00:03:25 Thesis, Eight Sleep, ROKA
00:07:18 Nutrition & Mental Health
00:20:43 Low-Carb Diets & Anti-Depression, Fasting, Ketosis
00:27:52 Schizophrenia, Depression & Ketogenic Diet
00:34:32 AG1 (Athletic Greens)
00:35:38 Psychiatric Mediations, Diet Adherence
00:42:35 Highly Processed Foods, Ketones & Mental Health Benefits
00:46:51 Ketogenic Diet & Epilepsy Treatment
00:56:10 Ketogenic Diet & Mitochondria Health
00:57:05 Nutrition & Benefits for Neurologic/Psychiatric Disorders
01:05:44 Mitochondrial Function & Mental Health
01:15:12 InsideTracker
01:16:23 Mitophagy, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Aging & Diet
01:25:09 Neurons, Mitochondria & Blood Glucose
01:31:54 Obesity, Ketogenic Diet & Mitochondria
01:40:00 Mitochondrial Function: Inheritance, Risk Factors, Marijuana
01:46:34 Alcohol & Ketogenic Diet
01:55:21 Brain Imaging, Alzheimer’s Disease & Ketones
02:01:05 Exogenous (Liquid) Ketones vs. Ketogenic Diet
02:06:27 Neuronal Damage, Ketones & Glucose
02:10:16 Alzheimer’s Disease, Age-Related Cognitive Decline & Ketogenic Diet
02:23:45 Ketogenic Diet & Weight Loss
02:35:47 Ketogenic Diet & Fasting, Hypomania, Sleep
02:46:37 Low Carbohydrate Diets, Menstrual Cycles, Fertility
02:52:23 Obesity Epidemic, Semaglutide & GLP-1 Medications
03:01:01 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous Supplements, Neural Network Newsletter, Social Media

Huberman Lab is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.

[blackwatch]

No other point in human history could you listen to experts of the top universities speak in depth about how the latest discoveries in their field can improve your life, all from the comfort of home. WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE

[nickagunter]

Dr. Palmer should get a Nobel Prize. He’s made a real difference in so many lives with his discoveries.

[mrdylanjoseph]

I thought I was bi-polar, I was a 6-7 day a week heavy drinker, 350 pounds, suicidal, etc. After losing 60-70 pounds I noticed exercise was definitely helping my mental. Then I plateaued. A few months ago I started changing my diet, not necessarily Keto, but highly reducing bread and sugar. I actively avoid “added” or “included” sugars.

Two months in and holy shit… I’ve never been more focused, measured, calm, and truly blissful. Where I used to react compulsively, I now respond consciously. I had been listening to Sadhguru, and I was picking up what he was putting down. However once I got on this low carb diet I feel like I live like him! Very minimal rumination or overthinking now. I’m living in the moment far more often now, and my emotions come like before, but I can breathe my way through it now and the feeling is over within 10 minutes. That’s like God mode to a person who is not diagnosed, but certainly felt OCD and bipolar my whole adult life…

In conclusion, FORCE yourself to try this diet! If you show improvement at all stick with it! Fuck that comfort food! Don’t you wanna be truly happy? Don’t you want confidence and stability? You got this!! Love!

[staceyface]

This episode got my husband who suffers from schizophrenia to start keto with me and lose 50 lbs in 6 months and he's feeling great. Thank you so much for sharing this information! Love these podcasts 💕

[xochiltrodriguez]

I work at a psych hospital as a clinical therapist. I keep telling parents and patients that there is more than just psych meds and individual therapy. I have been sharing names like Dr. Huberman and many others. I'm adding Dr. Palmer to the list. Thank you.

[ANKA.OUTLOOK]

99 podcasts. I don't know how much he contributed to the society. Truly humble man.

[intramotus]

I think Dr. Palmer is a real gem. You can feel his deep humanity from his tone and from his kind eyes.

[fabiocaetanofigueiredo]

I was so saddened by the clear emotional change of voice tone when he mentioned being homeless with his mom...
😭😭😭

Brother, I am so sorry for what you endured - and so happy for you having overcomed it
👏👏👏

[brianmahoney]

The ketogenic diet completely resolves my schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Chris Palmer saved me from an incalculable amount of trouble and suffering. Shame on the medical establishment that has ignored all of this for decades at the expense of peoples lives and health

[ExcellentHealth]

Thank you Andrew. Thank you for giving humanity all of this for free. We appreciate it a lot.

[americannanay]

My son was put on Meds immediately after hospitalization at 13 years old and His weight ballooned to almost 300lbs within few months of taking it. It made him sink deeper into his illness. Eventually, he stopped taking his meds and his withdrawal symptoms was horrible experience for him and for everyone in my household. He was hospitalized 5 times.

Last year, he started fasting and he ate mostly protein then start going to the gym. He still has those episodes but not as bad as before. The “man boob” is almost gone and My son is now 18, 190lbs. and pill free.

Thank God we discovered Fasting here on YouTube.

Thank You Dr. Huberman for guesting Dr. Palmer. It made me understand my son’s condition better.

[solomani]

Fascinating stuff, but I just want to say I find it refreshing to see two people ALLOW THE OTHER PERSON to completely finish their sentence and train of thought before responding. It's rare to see these days. +1

[MACrosby]

I was almost completely disabled by depression and anxiety from October until the week before Christmas. I listened to this episode and started a ketogenic diet a week later. My depression and anxiety have almost completely disappeared. I've managed to return to work and I haven't felt this okay in years. This one bit of insight could very well have saved my life. I read Dr. Palmers book, and have been recommending it to everyone who will listen to me. Thank you.

[MJevolving]

I am in awe of Dr. Palmer's vulnerability and advocacy to protect himself as a patient while in school and remain curious.. as well as strive to be the best practitioner. He is a rare gem and I appreciate his compassion and efforts. Amazing episode.

This channel continues to improve my life. Forever thankful.

[jpadkins]

Thank you so much! I am 100 pounds overweight and have had extreme depression and had anxiety in 2019. I have just started learning a few months ago that seratonin levels come from the gut, and how food affects mental health. I feel so betrayed that no psychiatrist has ever told me this. I also want to say you are an incredible interviewer. You kept asking everything I wanted to know. Wow. I am a first time listener. I thank God this came up in my feed.

[KatH]

I do this and it absolutely fixes my depression. I have been off antidepressants after 20 years. I don't go full on keto because of hypomania but just cutting out basically the sugar, bad carbs and inflammatory foods I feel like a new person.

[Gbizz]

Man… huberman and his information made we change into the person I’ve wanted to be for months, if not years.

Over the last month i have achieved:
- healthy sleeping schedule and quality (about 8hrs). Mostly by just fixing the lightviewing through the day, and caffeine timing.
- not watching porn and no fapping. Greatly increased my discipline and confidence.
- disciplined workout schedule. Feeling stronger and more happy during and after. Also doing cold showers after workout feel so good and my recovery seems better.
- I was already on a pretty healthy diet but it lacked some balancing, which I’ve about optimized now. Especially concerning microbiome = more fiber and fermented foods.
- going on dates and enjoying life outside of my desk at home. I feel like this is because of the 3 things mentioned above. My libido, self confidence and overall happiness have increased so much. ( a couple of nights ago was one of the most sexually fulfilling times in my life )

I genuinely feel like a nicer person, i like to talk more with people, i go outside more, i find things more interesting, i engage way more with females as than before. Basically I feel way better.

You have really changed my life in about a month time. I was not depressed perse, but not happy either. I was primarily sitting in my room and doing the things a sexually inactive adolescent man does. But now, I Can proudly say that I feel the best since before my father died 7 years ago, and I don’t need any drugs or alcohol to do it. Just living by my own rules and routine and enjoying it.

Thank you.

[AaronMBenjamin]

Started listening this guy when he had 5 episodes in, . Each one has so much quality information that the common man can use daily. Thank you Dr. Huberman for creating a space for persons all over the world can learn things that they can use to help with their everyday lives. A gem 💎 to this world. 🙏🙏

[valerietweedie]

Wow! What an impressive and brave man! How incredibly kind of Dr Palmer to share his own personal experience in order to help others. He personifies what we all hope the medical profession can rise to be.

[_sunnycute_]

I live with Schizoaffective disorder and this diet is helping me come off psychiatric medications that I have been on for 20 years. I am so thrilled that this field of study is expanding and it brings me so much hope. FYI the ketogenic diet made me very fertile and I got pregnant without trying. I am currently staying on the keto diet during pregnancy because of the mental health benefits. It's controversial but there is anecdotal evidence that it is safe. Thank you Dr. Palmer, I have watched lots of your interviews on Youtube and I am currently listening to Brain Energy. Due in June!